Famed Di Fara Pizza Seized For Not Paying $167K In State Taxes

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — One of New York's most famous pizzerias was seized by state officials for owners' failure to pay more than $167,000 in taxes, officials confirmed.

Di Fara Pizza on Avenue J and and East 15th Street was seized Tuesday by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for nonpayment of taxes, a department spokesperson confirmed.

"Seeing a business is always our last resort," said James Gazzale. "Long before we seize a business we are in communication with the business owner."

The levy, posted on the pizzeria's front door, states that unless a Tax Department warrant is addressed, the title, interest and property within 1424 Avenue J will be sold, according to a photo of the notice posted to Twitter.

The Department of Taxation and Finance will continue to have a dialogue with Di Fara's owners, said Gazzale. Typically, owners can resume ownership once the outstanding tax is paid, he said.

This is not the first time the famous Midwood pizzeria has faced off against New York officials.

Di Fara was repeatedly shuttered by city Health Department inspectors in May and in 2018 for health violations that included mice, food held at unsafe temperatures and workers with inadequate personal cleanliness.

The pizzeria has been a New York City institution since Domenico "Dom" DeMarco opened the pizzeria in 1965. Di Fara was named an All Star Eatery by Forbes in 2018 and has been named one the city's best pizzerias by CNN, the New York Post, Food & Wine, among others.

Di Fara did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.